Nc State At Clemson

SATURDAY TICKET - WEEK 8

Wolfpack Defense The Key To This One

October 30, 2004

QUICK SLANT: This game is big in terms of Atlantic Coast Conference bowl positioning.

ABOUT NC STATE: The Wolfpack are coming off a loss in which Miami shredded what had been the nation's top-ranked defense. But Clemson's offense is ranked 107th overall. LB Pat Thomas and SS Andre Maddox (both from Miami Killian) are the guys to watch. TB T.A. McLendon is the key guy on offense, but QB Jay Davis (Clearwater Central Catholic) is coming on as a passer.

ABOUT CLEMSON: The Tigers have struggled offensively, mostly because their running game has been abysmal. Too much pressure has been placed on QB Charlie Whitehurst because of the lack of a running game, though WRs Airese Currie and Kelvin Grant are dangerous. The Tigers also have struggled to stop the run. The secondary is a good one, particularly CB Justin Miller.

THE BUZZ: The home crowd should help Clemson, but it's hard to imagine the Tigers having a lot of success offensively against the Wolfpack.